Surf Rock Review: The Riptide Rats-Waves of Steel

Release Date: November 20, 2025

Labels: Ghost Highway Recordings (ES) & Green Cookie Records (GR).

Website

The The Riptide Rats' first full-length release, Waves of Steel, has arrived!

They hail from Kungsbacka City, Sweden, and include members of Lunatones & the Chuck Norris Experiment.

Players:

Gustav Wilhelmsson - Guitars

Fredrik Wallgren - Drums

Jocke Olsson - Bass 

The title track “Waves Of Steel” kicks things off with a rocking surf burst of energy and retro twang.  The aim is accurate, and clearly this track sets the tone for one hell of a surf instro ride. I noticed readily how clear and crisp the production was, and I look forward to what comes next.

“Desert Dust” begins with the first wave tones and rhythmic sections. The guitar leads the way as the drums and bass pound out the waves for that fine guitar to ride upon. Rapid bursts of twang and reverb with some straight-ahead rock lines are peeled off in specific places within the composition. It’s pure surf rock excitement.

“Breaker” sounds like their tribute to the great Link Wray (if not the sure was an influence there). This track smokes from start to finish, and as soon as it starts, you know who they are giving the nod to. It is heavy and impactful, showing how three men can generate as much power and command as any five-piece band. It’s a testament to the band’s energy and musical prowess.

“Dunes” begins with the crack of the whip and instant twang. The guitar’s resonant tone creates the necessary atmosphere. The bass is notable here as well, and the drums are like the pied piper leading them through these imaginary dunes—an instrumental rocker with a Spaghetti Western motif. The second guitar sounds like a galloping horse. Epic scenery with a horse galloping away completes it.

“Coastline Chaos” is instant, high-energy from the first note. This one got me thinking about some of the great surf instro music of the ’60s. The main point is that its sound is technically precise, featuring sharp edges and an unmistakable twang.  It’s a superb rocker that showcases the band’s technical prowess and pays homage to surf rock’s roots.

“Backwater Showdown” starts with an evil laugh to get things moving. Did I hear someone say “Wipeout”? It’s their own version of the original track, with some serious guitar rocking. I liked all the transitions and how they took the original beats and built their own classic sound around them.

“Reef Rumblin’” paints the picturesque ocean waves and the dangers of the reef lurking right around the corner. The steady bass, drums, and guitars roar through this one. Hard-rocking surf instro expertly mirrors the imminent danger ahead.

“Straitjacket” is a cover from Los Straitjackets’ first album. It carries a swager and hook that cannot miss. A very deliberate bottom end keeps things in medium tempo as the guitars take off into the stratosphere. It sounds like it could be a soundtrack to a spy thriller scene. Towards the end, it blossoms into just that!

“Astrofeet” sounds like the robot’s voice from the 60s Lost in Space series. I fondly remember that show. Of course, I thought of the legendary band Man or Astroman and the way they would start some of their songs.  This is one of the heavier rockers on the recording, and they also ensure that the surfing influences shine brightly. The elements of hard-rocking guitars with surf make for an explosive track!

“Action Jaxxxon” takes us to fuzztone land, a la Davie Allen. The Ventures’ “2000 Pound Bee” returns with a vengeance! This time, it’s more complicated and faster, with a juggernaut rhythm section steamrolling its way through, clearing the way for the guitars to rule the day.

“Grease My Board” is another reach back to the first wave of surf instro, with mellower tones, heavy bass lines, and meatier guitar chords interspersed. This is the perfect blend of the violence of a vast wave and the warm rays of the sun—another excellent track to follow the last.

“Rat Stomp” closes out this incredible instrumental surf rock journey. It is the shortest run at 2:12; however, they do it right. They pack everything they have into this one, all the influences merge into one great close to the curtain. I can imagine closing out a live show with this one.

Every track stays true to its intent. The instrumentation is sharp and attention-grabbing. The recording comprises twelve excellent tracks filled with reverb, twang, and hard-rocking guitar lines. The Riptide Rats have really made it count with Waves of Steel.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Surf Music and Art Founder

November 20, 2025

Tracks:

01. Waves Of Steel

02. Desert Dust

03. Breaker

04. Dunes

05. Coastline Chaos

06. Backwater Showdown

07. Reef Rumblin’

08. Straitjacket

09. Astrofeet

10. Action Jaxxxon

11. Grease My Board

12. Rat Stomp

Surfer In Hawaii Video

 Just for fun, I created this with GROK AI to see how it would come out.

Surf-Rock-Metal Instrumental Review: Phantom Lightkeeper-Shore Ghosts

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Label: Independent

Website

Shore Ghosts is the debut album from Phantom Lightkeeper, the new solo music project from Justin Beahm, who is best known for his documentary film work for Paramount Pictures, Shout! Factory, and Arrow Video. With Phantom Lightkeeper, he trades visual storytelling for a new experiment in instrumental surf, blending haunting atmospheres, fuzzed-out sludge, and cinematic soundscapes into the mix.

I felt intrigued and excited to listen to this album, Shore Ghosts. Out of the fourteen tracks, eight are under 2 minutes. Although this is not a takeaway, it’s a plus factor because Beahm makes his mark in these short periods of time.

“Red Tide” serves as an intro that runs for one minute and thirty-six seconds. So, the tide is in with a trad surf instro riff that hints at some vague blues around the fringes, at least that is what my ears heard. Then, fuzz tones conclude the sounds.

“Funeral At Sea” is dark, with some atmosphere and fuzzy tones, followed by meaty chords. Slightly echoing sounds are in the background, accompanied by a basic underlying riff with surf’s elemental brushings. It sounded like heavy metal at a slower speed, but with those surf notes interspersed—a good reminder of the seriousness of the subject matter for another lost sailor.

“Siren” features some trad surf instro in a heavier, murky mode. The sustain on the guitar resonates like a large bee buzzing. Some tones and colors create an atmosphere of the Old West (think spaghetti western), and then it finishes with the fuzz tone.

“Shore Ghosts” begins like Black Sabbath does surf. Man, this guy is one heavy dude! Things become atmospheric, then shift to a grungy feedback sound. However, he manages to incorporate it within a short timeframe while maintaining the eerie ambient sound in the background.

“Orchid” starts, then a voice comes on to say, “I kissed her as she lay there in the coffin, and her lips were cold.” Damn! Well, perfect timing with the Devil’s Holiday right around the corner. This is heavy metal surf with a hint of spookiness crawling right up your spine. Drums briefly announce themselves as the sound of howling winds close it out.

“Lost Island” brings back the trad surf instro; however, the heaviness of this music and subject matter consistently dominates. And as it should be based on the title of the album! Feedback and distortion give it an evil air once again.

“Lumbering Giant” begins with drums and bass pounding away with a staccato riff, wailing away, calling back to the rhythm section. Surf enthusiasts will appreciate this one but must be open-minded to the heaviness and concept of what this artist is conveying. The sound of the giant making some noise ends it, perfect.

“Sundance (For Link)” is a nod to one of the greats, Link Wray. And indeed, after hearing the previous tracks, you can listen to all the influences. Wray was probably one of the first guitar players to sound punk and grungy. And he nails it here with a real intense rocker, no surf, just a rockin’ instrumental with feedback and fuzz.

“Leviathan” is both heavy and melodic, with the rapid-fire surf instro riffing complemented by the drums and bass, which throw another knockout punch. Short and sweet but full of impact, per usual, keeping the audience engaged and captivated.

“Idyllwild” is atmospheric, featuring a wailing sound in the background—very traditional first-wave surf music with hard, fuzzy edges. Steady drums and bass are layered in nicely, but subdued at times, and other times just head-knockin’ hard. It’s a nostalgic journey for an audience, appreciating the traditional surf music with a modern twist

“Moonlight Strangler” marks a return to a more mellow sound for the first time. It catches you off guard, then, of course, it changes and gets heavier with the drums and bass, and then it backs off again. It keeps a surf/spy feel with the rapid picking. Surf instro purists will love this one!

“Nightdance” begins with a slower, mellow tempo and a soft, atmospheric background. Now, this is the longest-running track at 3:45, so you would anticipate several transitions. Not to disappoint, he goes off on a few higher-tempo guitar runs with surfy edges. The best of both worlds is offered here by this guitar maestro.

“Rain Catcher” begins with rain, of course, then straight into that trad reverberating surf instro guitar riffing. Again, he pulls out the stops with some fantastic staccato runs, then pulls back to the more mellow picking. All the while maintaining the surf instro sound and adding some smashing cymbals and drums for drama, the ending features the sound of rain.

“All Hallow’s Eve” is the perfect closer for this album. The wind blows and howls with the essence of evil all around it. Guitars begin with trepidation and softness, then watch out! It explodes into a wave of sound and metallic glory. Then, surfy riffs are added for extra measure to remind you of how he can switch back and forth at any time, sounding original and fresh.

The Phantom Lightkeeper (Justin Beahm) writes a book of mystery and horror with his music on Shore Ghosts. His unique blend of instrumental perfection, a mix of surf, metal, and atmospheric sounds, demands multiple listens to appreciate the scope and depth of what one musician can offer in one listen.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Review Founder

October 18, 2025

Tracks:

01. Red Tide 1:36

02. Funeral At Sea2:37

03. Siren 2:37

04. Shore Ghosts 3:09

05. Orchid 1:53

06. Lost Island 1:45

07. Lumbering Giant 1:55

08. Sundance (For Link) 1:52

09. Leviathan 1:29

10. Idyllwild 02:23

11. Moonlight Strangler 1:32

12. Nightdance 3:45 

13. Rain Catcher 1:45

14. All Hallow's Eve 2:36